U.S. patent application number 13/823554 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for seal cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. The applicant listed for this patent is Masaru Hamasaki, Hiroyuki Nagai, Masato Yoneda. Invention is credited to Masaru Hamasaki, Hiroyuki Nagai, Masato Yoneda.
Application Number | 20130175768 13/823554 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45873886 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130175768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoneda; Masato ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
SEAL CAP
Abstract
A seal cap is formed of an elastically deformable material and
includes a cap portion that closes a passage port, a grip portion
that can be grasped, and a joining portion which integrally joins
the cap portion and the grip portion. The joining portion has a
bolt insertion portion through which a stud bolt can be inserted.
The grip portion is formed on a side of the bolt insertion portion
that corresponds to the cap portion. The joining portion is formed
between the bolt insertion portion and the cap portion and is
provided with a cut which communicates with the bolt insertion
portion. The cut allows the cap portion to be bent and deformed by
the contact between the cap portion and the stud bolt during
pulling out of the seal cap from a connection portion.
Inventors: |
Yoneda; Masato; (Kariya-shi,
JP) ; Nagai; Hiroyuki; (Kariya-shi, JP) ;
Hamasaki; Masaru; (Kariya-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yoneda; Masato
Nagai; Hiroyuki
Hamasaki; Masaru |
Kariya-shi
Kariya-shi
Kariya-shi |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA
JIDOSHOKKI
Kariya-shi, Aichi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
45873886 |
Appl. No.: |
13/823554 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 20, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/071393 |
371 Date: |
March 14, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/602 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 39/14 20130101;
F04B 39/123 20130101; F16J 15/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/602 |
International
Class: |
F16J 15/02 20060101
F16J015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2010 |
JP |
2010-212007 |
Claims
1. A seal cap adapted to be used in a compressor that includes a
connection portion connecting a piping through which a fluid flows,
a passage port opened at an end surface of the connection portion,
and a stud bolt erected on the end surface of the connection
portion, wherein the seal cap is formed of an elastically
deformable material and mounted to the connection portion, the seal
cap comprising: a cap portion for closing the passage port; a grip
portion; and a joining portion integrally joining the cap portion
and the grip portion; and wherein the joining portion has a bolt
insertion portion through which the stud bolt can be inserted, the
grip portion is formed on a side of the bolt insertion portion that
corresponds to the cap portion, the joining portion includes a cut
that is formed on a side of the bolt insertion portion that
corresponds to the cap portion and is in communication with the
bolt insertion portion, and the cut allows bending deformation of
the cap portion by contacting of the cap portion with the stud bolt
during pulling out of the seal cap from the connection portion.
2. The seal cap according to claim 1, wherein, when a rectilinear
distance between two points in the cut is defined as a distance
from a position in communication with the bolt insertion portion to
a position that is on side of the bolt insertion portion
corresponding to the cap portion and is separated by the greatest
distance from the bolt insertion portion, the rectilinear distance
is set to be greater than a length from the end surface of the
connection portion to a distal end of the stud bolt.
3. The seal cap according to claim 1, wherein the passage port
forms a first passage port, the compressor includes a second
passage port formed in the end surface of the connection portion,
the stud bolt is erected between the first passage port and the
second passage port, the cap portion forms a first cap portion, and
a second cap portion for closing the second passage port is
integrally joined to the first cap portion via the joining
portion.
4. The seal cap according to claim 3, wherein the cut forms a first
cut, the joining portion includes a second cut on a side of the
bolt insertion portion that corresponds to the second portion, and
the second cut is in communication with the first cut.
5. The seal cap according to claim 1, wherein the cut is formed
from an outer peripheral edge of the joining portion to the bolt
insertion portion.
6. The seal cap according to claim 1, wherein a bolt protection
portion, which covers an outer peripheral surface of the stud bolt,
is provided at a position of the joining portion that corresponds
to the bolt insertion portion.
7. The seal cap according to claim 6, wherein the bolt protection
portion has a cut extending from a distal end to a base portion of
the bolt protection portion on a surface that corresponds to the
cap portion.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a seal cap for closing a
suction port and a discharge port, which are passage ports for
refrigerant in a compressor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] After a compressor for vehicle air conditioning is
manufactured at a factory, lubricating oil is enclosed in the
interior of the compressor. In the housing of the compressor, a
suction port and a discharge port are formed at a connection
portion, which is connected to external piping. After enclosing the
lubricating oil, a seal cap, which is made of rubber or plastic, is
press-fitted into the suction port and the discharge port so that
the suction port and the discharge port are sealed by the seal
cap.
[0003] As a conventional seal cap, a dustproof cap has been known
that is used in a vehicle air conditioner as disclosed in Patent
Document 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the vehicle air conditioner
includes a connection block 100 at an end of a set of piping
through which refrigerant flows. In the connection block 100 are
opened a first hole portion 101 and a second hole portion 102,
which are in communication with the set of piping. A dustproof cap
103 for preventing entry of dust into an interior of an evaporator
through the first hole portion 101 and the second hole portion 102
is installed on the connection block 100. The dustproof cap 103 is
formed by a body 106 and a hook portion 107. The body 106 has a
first fitting portion 104 and a second fitting portion 105, which
seal the first hole portion 101 and the second hole portion 102,
respectively. The hook portion 107 is formed to project from the
body 106. The hook portion 107 is pulled when the body 106 is to be
detached from the connection block 100. The hook portion 107 is
formed to be rotational with respect to the body 106.
[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses another conventional sealing
device. The sealing device is used in a compressor, in which a
suction port and a discharge port are opened in a connection
portion connected to piping and a stud bolt for fixing a piping
connection member is fixed to a vicinity of each port. The sealing
device seals the suction port or the discharge port. The sealing
device has a seal body fitted to the suction port or the discharge
port in an airtight manner, tubular bodies surrounding the
periphery of the stud bolts, and a lug portion formed integral to
the seal body and the tubular bodies. A slit that extends in an
axial direction from a base of the tubular body is formed in a
peripheral wall of the tubular body.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS
Patent Documents
[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.
2007-83747
[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Registered Utility Model
Publication No. 3124207
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] However, with the dustproof cap shown in FIG. 10, there is a
problem that, depending on the direction in which the dustproof cap
103 is pulled out, the second fitting portion 105 contacts a bolt
108 after the second fitting portion 105 has been detached from the
second hole portion 102, thereby making detachment of the dustproof
cap 103 from the compressor difficult. In particular, as shown in
FIG. 10, there are cases where the vehicle air conditioner is
mounted to a vehicle in a state where the bolt 108 is inclined and
the direction in which the dustproof cap 103 is pulled out is
restricted due to reasons of space. In a case where the hook
portion 107 is gripped and pulled out in the direction of the arrow
shown in FIG. 10, the dustproof cap 103 including the second
fitting portion 105, as indicated by alternate long and two short
dashed lines, catches on the bolt 108 and cannot be detached from
the connection block 100. Also with the sealing device disclosed in
Patent Document 2, depending on the direction in which the sealing
device is pulled out, the seal body detached from the suction port
or the discharge port catches on the stud bolt in a manner similar
to the case of Patent Document 1, making reliable detachment of the
sealing device from the compressor difficult.
[0008] An objective of the present invention is to provide a seal
cap that can be detached reliably from a compressor, even when a
cap portion that has been detached during removal of the seal cap
contacts a stud bolt provided on the compressor.
[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a
seal cap is provided that is adapted to be used in a compressor.
The compressor includes a connection portion connecting a piping
through which a fluid flows, a passage port opened at an end
surface of the connection portion, and a stud bolt erected on the
end surface of the connection portion. The seal cap is formed of an
elastically deformable material and mounted to the connection
portion. The seal cap includes a cap portion for closing the
passage port, a grip portion, and a joining portion integrally
joining the cap portion and the grip portion. The joining portion
has a bolt insertion portion through which the stud bolt can be
inserted. The grip portion is formed on a side of the bolt
insertion portion that corresponds to the cap portion. The joining
portion includes a cut that is formed on a side of the bolt
insertion portion that corresponds to the cap portion and is in
communication with the bolt insertion portion. The cut allows
bending deformation of the cap portion by contacting of the cap
portion with the stud bolt during pulling out of the seal cap from
the connection portion.
[0010] With the present invention, even if, in the process of
pulling out the seal cap installed on the connection portion of the
compressor, the cap portion that has become detached from the
passage port contacts the stud bolt, the cap portion is bent with a
fulcrum portion as a fulcrum by application of a force of pulling
out the seal cap and becomes displaced with respect to the joining
portion. By the displacement of the cap portion with respect to the
joining portion, the catching of the cap portion on the stud bolt
is avoided. By further application of the force of pulling out the
seal cap, the seal cap is detached from the stud bolt.
Consequently, the seal cap is detached reliably from the
compressor.
[0011] When a rectilinear distance between two points in the cut is
defined as a distance from a position in communication with the
bolt insertion portion to a position that is on side of the bolt
insertion portion corresponding to the cap portion and is separated
by the greatest distance from the bolt insertion portion, the
rectilinear distance is preferably set to be greater than a length
from the end surface of the connection portion to a distal end of
the stud bolt.
[0012] In this case, rupture from the cut is prevented because the
cut is formed within the joining portion of the seal cap and does
not reach an outer peripheral edge of the seal cap. Also, in the
process of pulling out the seal cap, the stud bolt can be passed
through the cut, thereby enabling the seal cap to be detached from
the compressor more reliably.
[0013] A configuration is preferably adapted in which the passage
port forms a first passage port, the compressor includes a second
passage port formed in the end surface of the connection portion,
the stud bolt is erected between the first passage port and the
second passage port, the cap portion forms a first cap portion, and
a second cap portion for closing the second passage port is
integrally joined to the first cap portion via the joining
portion.
[0014] In this case, at the connection portion of the compressor,
the first passage port and the second passage port are arranged
with the stud bolt in between and the seal cap closes the first
passage port and the second passage port. In the process of pulling
out the seal cap, the first cap portion becomes detached first.
After the catching of the first cap portion on the stud bolt is
avoided, the second cap portion becomes detached from the second
passage port. The first passage port and the second passage port
can thus be closed by a single seal cap and the seal cap can be
detached reliably from the compressor.
[0015] A configuration is preferably adapted in which the cut forms
a first cut, the joining portion includes a second cut on a side of
the bolt insertion portion that corresponds to the second portion,
and the second cut is in communication with the first cut.
[0016] In this case, with the second cut, a position at which the
force of pulling out the second cap portion acts after the catching
of the first cap portion on the stud bolt has been avoided in the
process of pulling out the seal cap is made close to the second cap
portion. Therefore, in comparison to a case where the second cut is
not present, a smaller force is required to pull out the second cap
portion and the pulling out of the seal cap is made easy.
[0017] The cut is preferably formed from an outer peripheral edge
of the joining portion to the bolt insertion portion.
[0018] In this case, the cut reaches the outer peripheral edge of
the seal cap. Thus, in the process of pulling out the seal cap,
there is no need to pass the stud bolt through the cut after the
catching of the cap portion on the stud bolt has been avoided. The
cut can thus be made short in comparison to the cut formed at a
position within the joining portion of the seal cap.
[0019] A bolt protection portion, which covers an outer peripheral
surface of the stud bolt, is preferably provided at a position of
the joining portion that corresponds to the bolt insertion
portion.
[0020] In this case, the stud bolt is protected because the bolt
protection portion covers the outer peripheral surface of the stud
bolt in the state where the seal cap is installed on the connection
portion.
[0021] The bolt protection portion preferably has a cut extending
from a distal end to a base portion of the bolt protection portion
on a surface that corresponds to the cap portion.
[0022] In this case, detachment of the bolt protection portion from
the stud bolt is made easy in comparison to a case where a cut is
not present in the bolt protection portion.
Effects of the Invention
[0023] The present invention provides a seal cap that can be
detached reliably from a compressor even when a cap portion that
has been detached during pulling out of the seal cap contacts a
stud bolt provided on the compressor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a side view of a compressor to which a seal cap
according to a first embodiment of the present invention is
applied;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a front view of the compressor of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seal cap according to
the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 4(a) is a plan view of the seal cap;
[0028] FIG. 4(b) is a side view, with a part cut away, illustrating
the seal cap;
[0029] FIG. 4(c) is a partial plan view illustrating the seal cap,
in which a circular hole formed by a grip portion and a cut are put
in communication;
[0030] FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d) are explanatory diagrams illustrating a
process of pulling out the seal cap;
[0031] FIGS. 6(a) to 6(d) are plan views of seal caps according to
first to fourth modifications of the first embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 7(a) is a plan view of a seal cap according to a second
embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 7(b) is a side view, with a part cut away, illustrating
the seal cap according to the second embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 8(a) is a plan view of a seal cap according to a first
modification of the second embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 8(b) is a plan view of a seal cap according to a second
modification of the second embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 8(c) is a partially broken-away side view of the seal
cap according to the second modification of the second
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 9(a) is a plan view of a seal cap according to a third
embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 9(b) is a partially broken-away side view of the seal
cap according to the third embodiment; and
[0039] FIG. 10 is a partial side view, with a part cut away,
illustrating a conventional art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0040] A seal cap according to a first embodiment of the present
invention will now be described based on the drawings.
[0041] A compressor 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a compressor to be
installed in a vehicle. A housing 11 of the compressor 10 is mainly
formed by a cylinder block, a front housing member, and a rear
housing member. The housing 11 is provided with a connection
portion 12 for connection with piping through which refrigerant
flows as fluid. An end surface 12A is formed on the connection
portion 12. A suction port 13 as a passage port and a discharge
port 14 as a second passage port are opened in the end surface 12A.
A stud bolt 15 is erected on a portion of the end surface 12A
between the suction port 13 and the discharge port 14. The stud
bolt 15 is a bolt for fixing the piping connected to the connection
portion 12 and is screwed into a threaded hole provided in the
connection portion 12. In the present embodiment, respective
centers of the suction port 13, the stud bolt 15, and the discharge
port 14 are arranged to pass a hypothetical straight line L at the
connection portion 12 of the compressor 10 as shown in FIG. 1. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compressor 10 is fixed inside an engine
compartment of the vehicle so that the connection portion 12 of the
compressor 10 is set at a position inclined by approximately 45
degrees with a rotation axis P as a center.
[0042] A seal cap 20 shown in FIG. 3, FIGS. 4(a), and 4(b) is
installed on the connection portion 12 to close the suction port 13
and the discharge port 14. The seal cap 20 is formed, for example,
of a plastic material, such as polyurethane, etc., or a
rubber-based material that can be deformed elastically by
pressurization by a manual force. The seal cap 20 includes a first
cap portion 21 for the suction port 13, a second cap portion 22 for
the discharge port 14, a grip portion 24, and a bolt protection
portion 25. Further, the seal cap 20 has a joining portion 26,
which integrally joins the first cap portion 21, the second cap
portion 22, the grip portion 24, and the bolt protection portion
25. Also, the joining portion 26 has a bolt insertion portion
23.
[0043] The first cap portion 21 is formed to have a columnar shape,
and a plurality of annular ribs 21A are formed on an outer
peripheral surface of the first cap portion 21. A recess (not
shown), which is formed to enter inside from a distal side of the
first cap portion 21, is provided. The outer diameter dimension of
the first cap portion 21 is set in accordance with an inner
diameter of the suction port 13 so that it closes the suction port
13 by being press-fitted. The second cap portion 22 is formed to
have a columnar shape. The second cap portion 22 includes a
plurality of annular ribs 22A at an outer peripheral surface and
includes, in its interior, a recess (not shown) of the same form as
that of the first cap portion 21. The outer diameter dimension of
the second cap portion 22 is set in accordance with an inner
diameter of the discharge port 14 so that it closes the discharge
port 14 by being press-fitted.
[0044] The bolt insertion portion 23 is a portion through which the
stud bolt 15 can be inserted and is positioned between the first
cap portion 21 and the second cap portion 22. In the present
embodiment, the bolt protection portion 25 is formed to have a
cylindrical shape at a position of the joining portion 26
corresponding to the bolt insertion portion 23. The cylindrical
inner side portion of the bolt protection portion 25 corresponds to
the bolt insertion portion 23. In a state where the seal cap 20 is
installed on the connection portion 12, the stud bolt 15 is
inserted through the bolt insertion portion 23 and the bolt
protection portion 25 covers an outer peripheral surface of the
stud bolt 15.
[0045] The grip portion 24 is for facilitating the pulling out of
the seal cap 20 installed on the connection portion 12. In the
present embodiment, the grip portion 24 is formed at a position at
one end of the seal cap 20 that is adjacent to the first cap
portion 21. That is, the grip portion 24 is formed at a position
opposite the bolt insertion portion 23 with the first cap portion
21 as a center. A circular hole 24A is formed in the grip portion
24 and the grip portion 24 has a ring-like shape. The first cap
portion 21 is positioned between the grip portion 24 and the bolt
insertion portion 23. The grip portion 24 may be changed in
position to any position as long as it is positioned on the side of
the bolt insertion portion 23 that corresponds to the first cap
portion 21. Also, the grip portion 24 is not particularly
restricted in shape and may be changed to any shape as long as it
is a shape that is capable of being gripped. When pulling out the
seal cap 20 installed on the connection portion 12, the seal cap 20
is pulled out easily by latching a finger on the grip portion 24
and pulling in a pulling-out direction.
[0046] The joining portion 26 integrally joins the first cap
portion 21, the second cap portion 22, and the grip portion 24. As
shown in FIG. 4(b), the joining portion 26 includes a contacting
surface 26A, which contacts the end surface 12A of the connection
portion 12. Also, a thick rib 26B is formed at an outer peripheral
edge of the joining portion 26. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a), in
the present embodiment, within a range that is within the joining
portion 26 and surrounded by the rib 26B, a first cut 27 is formed
in a region close to the first cap portion 21 from the bolt
insertion portion 23, and a second cut 29 is formed on a side of
the bolt insertion portion 23 that corresponds to the second cap
portion 22. That is, the first cut 27 is located between the bolt
insertion portion 23 and the grip portion 24.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a), the first cut 27 includes a
transverse portion 27A, which extends along a side of the first cap
portion 21 that corresponds to the bolt insertion portion 23 in a
traversing manner and is in communication with the bolt insertion
portion 23, and an outer peripheral portion 27B formed to extend
from the transverse portion 27A toward the grip portion 24 along
the rib 26B. Here, "traversing manner" does not refer to extending
completely across in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal
direction of the seal cap 20, in other words, a direction
orthogonal to a direction of approaching the second cap portion 22
from the grip portion 24 but refers to extending partially across
in that direction. The transverse portion 27A of the first cut 27
is formed rectilinearly in the traversing direction between the
first cap portion 21 and the bolt protection portion 25 and is in
communication with the bolt insertion portion 23. The first cut 27
includes a plurality of ends T1 to T4. The end T3 of the outer
peripheral portion 27B of the first cut 27 is in communication with
the end T1 of the transverse portion 27A, and the outer peripheral
portion 27B extends along the rib 26B and between the grip portion
24 and the first cap portion 21. The end T4 of the outer peripheral
portion 27B is positioned at the same side of the joining portion
26 as the end T2 of the transverse portion 27A.
[0048] A point R in the outer peripheral portion 27B that is
separated by the greatest distance from the center of the
transverse portion 27A is present between the first cap portion 21
and the grip portion 24. Here, the center of the transverse portion
27A is the position at which first cut 27 is in communication with
the bolt insertion portion 23. Also, in the first cut 27, the
furthest point R is a position on a side of the bolt insertion
portion 23 that corresponds to the first cap portion 21 and is
separated from the bolt insertion portion 23 by the greatest
distance. As shown in FIG. 4(b), a rectilinear distance D1 between
the two points of the furthest point R of the outer peripheral
portion 27B and the center of the transverse portion 27A is set to
be greater than a length D2 from the end surface 12A to a distal
end of the stud bolt 15. Since the rectilinear distance D1 is set
to be greater than the length D2 from the end surface 12A to the
distal end of the stud bolt 15, the stud bolt 15 is enabled to pass
through the first cut 27 during the pulling out of the seal cap
20.
[0049] Since the first cut 27 is formed in the joining portion 26,
a fulcrum portion 28 is formed at a portion of the joining portion
26 between the end T4 of the outer peripheral portion 27B and the
end T2 of the transverse portion 27A. In FIGS. 3 and 4(a), the
fulcrum portion 28 is indicated by a broken line in which a long
dash alternates with a pair of short dashes for the illustrative
purposes. The fulcrum portion 28 is a portion that functions as a
fulcrum at which the first cap portion 21 can be displaced with
respect to the joining portion 26. The fulcrum portion 28 is formed
at a position of the joining portion 26 that is separated from a
portion between first cap portion 21 and the bolt insertion portion
23. Since the fulcrum portion 28 is formed in the joining portion
26, even when the first cap portion 21 contacts the stud bolt 15
during the pulling out of the seal cap 20, the first cap portion 21
bends with the fulcrum portion 28 as the fulcrum, thereby avoiding
catching of the first cap portion 21 on the stud bolt 15. As shown
in FIG. 4(c), the first cut 27 may be in communication with the
circular hole 24A formed by the grip portion 24. In this case, the
stud bolt 15 is made to pass through the first cut 27 even more
easily.
[0050] The second cut 29 will now be described.
[0051] The second cut 29 is formed by cutting rectilinearly along
the rib 26B from both ends T1 and T2 of the transverse portion 27A
of the first cut 27 toward the second cap portion 22. In the
present embodiment, ends T5 and T6 of the second cut 29 near the
second cap portion 22 are made closer to the second cap portion 22
than the bolt insertion portion 23. The ends T5 and T6 of the
second cut 29 near the second cap portion 22 are made closer to the
second cap portion 22 than the area between the bolt insertion
portion 23 and the second cap portion 22. A second fulcrum portion
30 is thereby formed near the second cap portion 22.
[0052] Since the second fulcrum portion 30 is formed closer to the
second cap portion 22 than the bolt insertion portion 23, a force
pulling out the second cap portion 22 during the pulling out of the
seal cap 20 is made to act more readily on the second cap portion
22. Since the position of the second fulcrum portion 30 is made
closer to the second cap portion 22 than the bolt insertion portion
23, the force of pulling out the second cap portion 22 is made to
act more readily on the second cap portion 22. In contrast, since
the position of the second fulcrum portion 30 is made closer to the
bolt insertion portion 23 than the second cap portion 22, the
acting of the force of pulling out of the second cap portion 22 on
the second cap portion 22 is made more difficult.
[0053] Although, in the present embodiment, the width of each of
the first cut 27 and the second cut 29 is set to approximately 1
mm, the widths of the first and second cuts 27 and 29 are not
restricted in particular. The first and second cuts 27 and 29 may,
for example, be gap-less cuts without widths, in other words,
slits. Also, each cut may be a recessed groove that is not cut
completely from a top surface to a rear surface of the joining
portion 26 or may be cuts that are formed in a perforated manner.
In the case of a recessed grooves or perforated cuts, it suffices
that the cuts become cut completely from the top surface to the
rear surface of the joining portion 26 by the pulling-out force
during the pulling out of the seal cap 20.
[0054] A process of pulling out the seal cap 20 of the present
embodiment will now be described.
[0055] The compressor 10 is mounted inside the engine compartment
of the vehicle and the stud bolt 15 provided on the connection
portion 12 is in a state of being inclined by approximately 45
degrees with respect to the vertical direction. The seal cap 20 is
installed on the connection portion 12 of the compressor 10 with
the first cap portion 21 of the seal cap 20 closing the suction
port 13 and the second cap portion 22 closing the discharge port
14. A worker performing the process of pulling out the seal cap 20
first latches a finger on the grip portion 24 and moves the latched
finger upward so that it approaches the stud bolt 15. The joining
portion 26 thereby becomes arched and a vicinity of the grip
portion 24 of the seal cap 20 begins to separate from the end
surface 12A of the connection portion 12. By pulling up the grip
portion 24 further in a direction of an arrow shown in FIG. 5(a),
the first cap portion 21 becomes detached from the suction port 13.
In each of FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d), the direction of the arrow is
upward, and the pulling out of the seal cap 20 is performed in the
order of FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), and 5(d).
[0056] By pulling up the grip portion 24 further, the first cap
portion 21 is put in contact with the stud bolt 15 as shown in FIG.
5(b). By continuing to pull up the grip portion 24, the first cap
portion 21 becomes bent with the fulcrum portion 28 as the fulcrum
and the seal cap 20 is separated further from the end surface 12A
of the connection portion 12 as shown in FIG. 5(c). The first cap
portion 21 passes by a side of the stud bolt 15 in a bent state and
moves toward the second cap portion 22. In this process, the stud
bolt 15 passes through the first cut 27 in the state of being
covered by the bolt protection portion 25. The displaced first cap
portion 21 is positioned at a side of the fulcrum portion 28 and
the stud bolt 15 and the first cap portion 21 are contacted in the
pulling-out direction. Catching of the first cap portion 21 on the
stud bolt 15 is thereby avoided.
[0057] When the grip portion 24 is pulled further upward from this
state, the second cap portion 22 begins to become detached from the
discharge port 14 and the bolt protection portion 25 begins to be
removed from the stud bolt 15 as shown in FIG. 5(d). At this point,
the force of pulling out can be made to act on the second cap
portion 22 readily because the second fulcrum portion 30 is set
closer to the second cap portion 22 than the bolt insertion portion
23. In comparison to a case where the second fulcrum portion is
further away, the second cap portion 22 can be detached with a
lower force. After the second cap portion 22 has become detached
from the discharge port 14 or at the same time as the detachment of
second cap portion 22, the bolt protection portion 25 becomes
removed from the stud bolt 15 and the pulling out of the seal cap
20 is completed.
[0058] The above described embodiment achieves the following
advantages.
[0059] (1) Even if, in the process of pulling out the seal cap 20
installed on the connection portion 12 of the compressor 10, the
first cap portion 21, which has become detached from the suction
port 13, contacts the stud bolt 15, the first cap portion 21 is
bent with the fulcrum portion 28 of the joining portion 26 as the
fulcrum by the application of the force of pulling out the seal cap
20. By the bending of the first cap portion 21, catching of the
first cap portion 21 on the stud bolt 15 in the pulling-out
direction is avoided and the first cap portion 21 does not hinder
the pulling out of the seal cap 20. When the force of pulling out
the seal cap 20 is applied further, the seal cap 20 becomes
detached from the stud bolt 15. Consequently, the seal cap 20 is
detached from the compressor 10 reliably.
[0060] (2) The first cut 27 is formed at a position within the
joining portion 26 of the seal cap 20. Thus, in the process of
pulling out the seal cap 20, the stud bolt 15 can be passed through
the first cut 27, thereby enabling the detachment of the seal cap
20 from the compressor 10 to be performed more reliably. Also, the
first cut 27 does not reach the outer peripheral edge of the seal
cap 20. Thus, after the first cap portion 21 has been pulled out in
the process of pulling out the seal cap 20, the bolt insertion
portion 23 and the second cap portion 22 can be detached by
reference to the two points of the ends T5 and T6. That is, when
pulling out the bolt insertion portion 23 and the second cap
portion 22, the force of pulling out is dispersed among the ends T5
and T6. For example, if the end T2 of the first cut 27 reaches the
outer peripheral edge, the force of pulling out will act on the
single point of the end T5 when the bolt insertion portion 23 and
the second cap portion 22 are pulled out. Thus, in comparison to
the case where the first cut 27 reaches the outer peripheral edge
of the seal cap 20, the present embodiment has a structure with
which the seal cap 20 has a high strength against the pulling-out
force.
[0061] (3) In the connection portion 12 of the compressor 10, the
suction port 13 and the discharge port 14 are arranged such that
the stud bolt 15 is positioned between two ports 13 and 14. The
suction port 13 and the discharge port 14 are closed by the single
seal cap 20, and the stud bolt 15 is inserted through the bolt
insertion portion 23 of the seal cap 20. In the process of pulling
out the seal cap 20, the first cap portion 21 becomes detached
first. Then, after the catching of the first cap portion 21 on the
stud bolt 15 has been avoided, the second cap portion 22 is
detached from the discharge port 14. The suction port 13 and the
discharge port 14 can thus be closed by the single seal cap 20, and
the seal cap 20 can be detached reliably from the compressor
10.
[0062] (4) The seal cap 20 is provided with the second cut 29. The
position at which the force of pulling out the second cap portion
22 acts after the catching of the first cap portion 21 on the stud
bolt 15 has been avoided in the process of pulling out the seal cap
20 is thereby made close to the second cap portion 22. Therefore,
in comparison to a case where the second cut 29 is not present, the
force of pulling out the second cap portion 22 is lessened and the
pulling out is made easier.
[0063] (5) In a state where the seal cap 20 is installed on the
connection portion 12, the bolt protection portion 25 covers the
stud bolt 15. The stud bolt 15 is thus protected in the state where
the seal cap 20 is installed on the connection portion 12.
[0064] (6) The seal cap 20 has a high strength against the force of
pulling out because the rib 26B is formed on the seal cap 20.
[0065] First to fourth modifications of the first embodiment will
now be described.
[0066] A first modification shown in FIG. 6(a) is an example of the
seal cap 20 in which the position of the first cut 27 differs from
that of the first embodiment. Outer peripheral portions 27B are
respectively formed to extend toward the grip portion 24 from the
ends T1 and T2 of the transverse portion 27A. The ends T3 at one
side of the outer peripheral portions 27B are in communication with
the respective ends T1 and T2 of the transverse portion 27A, and
the other ends T4 of the outer peripheral portions 27B are the
furthest points R. Therefore, with the seal cap 20 of the first
modification, the fulcrum portion 28 in the joining portion 26 is
formed between the grip portion 24 and the first cap portion 21. A
rectilinear distance between each of the ends T4 of the outer
peripheral portions 27B near the grip portion 24 and the transverse
portion 27A is set to be greater than the length from the end
surface 12A to the distal end of the stud bolt 15. With the first
modification, in the process of pulling out the seal cap 20, the
first cap portion 21 bends with the fulcrum portion 28 as the
fulcrum at the distal side of the stud bolt 15 and the first cap
portion 21 passes along the distal side of the stud bolt 15 while
staying in the bent state and moves toward the second cap portion
22. By the bending of the first cap portion 21, the catching of the
first cap portion 21 on the stud bolt 15 in the pulling-out
direction is avoided.
[0067] A second modification shown in FIG. 6(b) is an example of
the seal cap 20 in which the second cut 29 is formed to extend only
from one end T1 of the transverse portion 27A and a cut is not
formed at the other end T2 of the transverse portion 27A. With the
second modification, although the second cut 29 is only formed to
extend from the one end T1 of the transverse portion 27A, the
second fulcrum portion 30 can be formed by the end T5. The force of
pulling out can thus be made to act readily on the second cap
portion 22 in the process of pulling out the seal cap 20.
[0068] A third modification shown in FIG. 6(c) is an example of the
seal cap 20 in which only the first cut 27 is formed and the second
cut 29 is omitted. Although the third modification has an
arrangement where the second cap portion 22 is difficult to detach
in comparison to the first embodiment and the first and second
modifications, the second cap portion 22 can be detached from the
discharge port 14 by making the pulling-out force greater than in
the case of the second modification. The catching of the
suction-side cap portion 21 on the stud bolt 15 in the pulling-out
direction is avoided due to the bending of the first cap portion 21
in the present case as well.
[0069] A fourth modification shown in FIG. 6(d) is an example of
the seal cap 20 that does not include the bolt protection portion
25. With the fourth modification, the joining portion 26 has the
bolt insertion portion 23, and the first cap portion 21 and the
grip portion 24 are joined integrally by the joining portion 26.
With the fourth modification, the transverse portion 27A of the
first cut 27 is in communication with the bolt insertion portion
23. With the seal cap 20 of the fourth modification, even when the
seal cap 20 is installed on the connection portion 12, the stud
bolt 15 is exposed and not protected because the bolt protection
portion 25 is not provided. In the process of pulling out the seal
cap 20, there is no need to make the bolt protection portion 25
become detached from the stud bolt 15. Thus, the detachment of the
seal cap 20 is made correspondingly easier.
Second Embodiment
[0070] A seal cap according to a second embodiment of the present
invention will now be described.
[0071] The seal cap according to the second embodiment is an
example in which a first cut reaches an outer peripheral edge of
the joining portion. In regard to elements in common with the first
embodiment, the description of the first embodiment will be invoked
and the symbols will be used in common.
[0072] A first cut 41 is formed in the joining portion 26 of a seal
cap 40 shown in FIG. 7, and the first cut 41 extends from the outer
peripheral edge of the joining portion 26 to the bolt insertion
portion 23. The first cut 41 is thus a cut traversing from the
outer peripheral edge of the joining portion 26 to the bolt
insertion portion 23. Also, the first cut 41 is positioned on a
side of the bolt insertion portion 23 that corresponds to the first
cap portion 21. In the joining portion 26, fulcrum portions 42 and
43 are set at a side opposite the first cut 41 across the bolt
insertion portion 23. The fulcrum portion 42 is a fulcrum for
displacement of the first cap portion 21 toward the bolt protection
portion 25 in the process of pulling out the seal cap 40. That is,
in the process of gripping the grip portion 24 and pulling out the
seal cap 40 toward the stud bolt 15, the seal cap 40 bends with the
fulcrum portion 42 as the fulcrum and the first cap portion 21
becomes detached. The fulcrum portion 43 is a fulcrum for making
the first cap portion 21 become displaced in the state of
contacting the stud bolt 15 to avoid catching on the stud bolt 15
in the process of pulling out the seal cap 40. The fulcrum portion
43 is the fulcrum necessary for making the first cap portion 21
become displaced to avoid catching on the stud bolt 15 in the
process of pulling out the seal cap 40. In the seal cap 40
according to the present embodiment, the second cut is not
present.
[0073] With the seal cap 40, in the process of pulling out the seal
cap 40, the first cap portion 21 bends with the fulcrum portion 42
as the fulcrum and becomes displaced toward the stud bolt 15 until
it contacts the stud bolt 15. Then, when the first cap portion 21
contacts the stud bolt 15, the first cap portion 21 becomes
displaced with the fulcrum portion 43 as the fulcrum. By pulling
out further, the first cap portion 21 bends with the fulcrum
portion 43 as the fulcrum with the first cap portion 21 remaining
in contact with the stud bolt 15 and passes a portion of the stud
bolt 15 near the fulcrum portion 43. By continuing to pull out,
detachment of the second cap portion 22 and the bolt protection
portion 25 is performed.
[0074] With the present embodiment, substantially the same
advantages as items (1), (3), (5), and (6) of the first embodiment
are achieved. Further, with the present embodiment, the first cut
41 reaches the outer peripheral edge of the seal cap 40. Thus, in
the process of pulling out the seal cap 40, there is no need to
make the stud bolt 15 pass through the first cut 41 after the
catching of the first cap portion 21 on the stud bolt 15 has been
avoided. Therefore, in comparison to the first cut 27 formed at a
position within the joining portion 26 in the seal cap 20 of the
first embodiment, the length of the first cut 41 is smaller in the
second embodiment. With the present embodiment, the structure of
the seal cap 20 is simplified in comparison to the first
embodiment. Also, the first cut 41 is provided in a region close to
the first cap portion 21 from the bolt insertion portion 23.
Further, the cut extends obliquely from the bolt insertion portion
23 to approach the first cap portion 21 and the joining portion 26
is thus made readily bendable with the fulcrum portion 42 as the
fulcrum in the pulling out process.
[0075] First and second modifications of the second embodiment will
now be described.
[0076] A first modification shown in FIG. 8(a) is an example of the
seal cap 40 in which a second cut 44 is formed in addition to the
first cut 41. The first cut 41 of the first modification is formed
to pass a side of the first cap portion 21 that corresponds to the
bolt insertion portion 23 in a traversing manner and is in
communication with the bolt insertion portion 23. With the first
modification, the fulcrum portions 42 and 43 are formed at
substantially the same position as one end of the first cut 41.
[0077] On the other hand, the second cut 44 is formed to extend
from an end of the first cap portion 21 in the joining portion 26
toward the second cap portion 22 along the rib 26B and is further
formed to pass between the bolt protection portion 25 and the
second cap portion 22. With the first modification, a second
fulcrum portion 45 is formed in the joining portion 26 by the
forming of the second cut 44. Since the second fulcrum portion 45
is formed close to the second cap portion 22, the force of pulling
out the second cap portion 22 is made to act readily on the second
cap portion 22 during the pulling out of the seal cap 40. Thus, in
comparison to the seal cap 40 of the second embodiment, the
detachment of second cap portion 22 occurs before the detachment of
the bolt protection portion 25 from the stud bolt 15 and the
detachment of the second cap portion 22 is thus made easy.
[0078] A second modification shown in FIGS. 8(b) and 8(c) is an
example of the seal cap 40 in which a cut 46 is formed in the bolt
protection portion 25 in the seal cap 40 according to the second
embodiment. The cut 46, which extends from a base portion 25A to
the distal end 25B of the bolt protection portion 25 provided in
the seal cap 40, is formed on a peripheral surface of the bolt
protection portion 25 that corresponds to the first cap portion 21.
Since the cut 46 is formed in the bolt protection portion 25, the
cut 46 of the bolt protection portion 25 is opened by pulling out
further after the first cap portion 21 has become detached in the
process of pulling out the seal cap 40. The bolt protection portion
25 thereby becomes detached from the stud bolt 15. Further, the
second cap portion 22 becomes detached from the discharge port 14.
With the second modification, the detachment of the bolt protection
portion 25 from the stud bolt 15 is made easier in comparison to a
case where the bolt protection portion 25 does not have the cut
46.
Third Embodiment
[0079] A seal cap according to a third embodiment of the present
invention will now be described.
[0080] The third embodiment is an example of a seal cap that
includes a cap portion that closes only the suction hole. A seal
cap 50 shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) includes a cap portion 51, a
grip portion 54, and a joining portion 56 that is integrally formed
with the cap portion 51 and the grip portion 54. The joining
portion 56 includes a bolt insertion portion 53 and includes a bolt
protection portion 55 at a position corresponding to the bolt
insertion portion 53.
[0081] The cap portion 51 closes the suction port 13 and has a
columnar shape. The grip portion 54 is for facilitating the pulling
out of the seal cap 50 during the pulling out of the seal cap 50.
The grip portion 54 has a circular hole 54A and has substantially
the same arrangement as the grip portion 24 of the first
embodiment. The bolt insertion portion 53 is the portion through
which the stud bolt 15 is inserted, and in the present embodiment,
the bolt protection portion 55 is formed at the position of the
joining portion 56 corresponding to the bolt insertion portion 53.
A through hole at a position within the bolt protection portion 55
corresponds to the bolt insertion portion 53. The joining portion
56 includes an end surface 56A that contacts the end surface 12A of
the connection portion 12 and a rib 56B formed along an outer
peripheral edge. In the present embodiment, a cut 57, formed on a
side of the bolt insertion portion 53 that corresponds to the cap
portion 51, is formed in a range within and surrounded by the rib
56B of the joining portion 56.
[0082] As shown in FIG. 9(a), the cut 57 includes a transverse
portion 57A, which is formed to pass the bolt insertion portion 53
of the cap portion 51 in a traversing manner and in communication
with the bolt insertion portion 53, and an outer peripheral portion
57B, which is formed to extend from the transverse portion 57A
toward the grip portion 54 along the rib 56B. The transverse
portion 57A of the cut 57 is formed to extend rectilinearly between
the cap portion 51 and the bolt protection portion 55 and is in
communication with the bolt insertion portion 53. An end T3 of the
outer peripheral portion 57B of the cut 57 is in communication with
an end T1 of the transverse portion 57A. The outer peripheral
portion 57B extends along the rib 56B and passes between the grip
portion 54 and the cap portion 51. An end T4 of the outer
peripheral portion 57B is positioned at the same side as an end T2
of the transverse portion 57A.
[0083] A point R in the outer peripheral portion 57B that is
separated by the greatest distance from the center of the
transverse portion 57A is present between the cap portion 51 and
the grip portion 54. A rectilinear distance between the furthest
point R of the outer peripheral portion 57B and the center of the
transverse portion 57A is set to be greater than the length from
the end surface 12A to the distal end of the stud bolt 15. Since
the cut 57 is formed in the joining portion 56, a fulcrum portion
58 is formed at a portion of the joining portion 56 between the end
T4 of the outer peripheral portion 57B and the end T2 of the
transverse portion 57A.
[0084] With the present embodiment, even if, in the process of
pulling out the seal cap 50 installed on the connection portion 12
of the compressor 10, the cap portion 51, which has become detached
from the suction port 13, contacts the stud bolt 15, the cap
portion 51 is bent with the fulcrum portion 58 of the joining
portion 56 as the fulcrum and becomes displaced with respect to the
joining portion 56. By the displacement of the cap portion 51 with
respect to the joining portion 56, catching of the cap portion 51
on the stud bolt 15 is avoided and the cap portion 51 does not
hinder the pulling out of the seal cap 50. The cut 57 may be put in
communication with the circular hole 54A of the grip portion 54. In
this case, the stud bolt 15 passes through the cut 57 even more
easily. A seal cap having the same arrangement as the seal cap 50
and adapted for the discharge port 14 may also be used for the
discharge port 14.
[0085] Each of the seal caps according to the embodiments described
above demonstrates an embodiment of the present invention, and the
present invention is not restricted to the embodiments described
above. Various changes may be made within the scope of the gist of
the invention as described below.
[0086] Although with each of the embodiments described above, the
vehicle-installed compressor is described as an example of a
compressor on which the seal cap is installed, the type of
compressor is not restricted in particular. For example, the
compressor may be of a swash plate type, scroll type, or vane type
and is also not restricted to a vehicle-installed compressor.
[0087] Although with each of the embodiments described above, an
example is described where the seal cap is installed on the
connection portion formed on the housing of the compressor, the
connection portion is not restricted to being formed on the
housing. For example, the connection portion may be formed on
another member provided on the housing.
[0088] Although in each of the embodiments described above, the
respective centers of the suction port, the stud bolt, and the
discharge port are arranged to pass through the hypothetical
straight line in the connection portion of the compressor, the
respective centers the suction port, the stud bolt, and the
discharge port may instead be shifted in position with respect to
each other. In this case, in the seal cap, the first cap portion,
the bolt insertion portion, and the second cap portion are changed
to shapes that are shifted in position with respect each other in
accordance with the positions of the suction port, the stud bolt,
and the discharge port.
[0089] Although with each of the embodiments described above, the
compressor is fixed inside the engine compartment so that the
suction port is set at a lower position than the discharge port,
the compressor may be one that is fixed such that the discharge
port is set at a lower position than the suction port. With the
seal cap in this case, for example, the position of the second cap
portion for the discharge port and the position of the first cap
portion for the suction port are interchanged and the grip portion
is provided near the cap portion for the discharge port.
[0090] Although with each of the embodiments described above, the
grip portion is formed to have a ring-like shape, the grip portion
suffices to be of a shape that can be gripped readily by the worker
in the process of pulling out the seal caption and the shape is not
restricted in particular. Also, the grip portion suffices to be
provided to be present on a side of the bolt insertion portion that
corresponds to the cap portion.
[0091] Although with each of the embodiments described above, the
rib is provided to extend along the outer peripheral edge of the
seal cap, the providing of the rib is not essential. For example,
the rib may be omitted.
[0092] With each of the embodiments described above, an example is
described where the compressor is mounted to the engine compartment
in the state where the stud bolt provided on the connection portion
is inclined by approximately 45 degrees with respect to the
vertical direction. However, the direction of the stud bolt is not
restricted in particular and may be changed as suited. For example,
the stud bolt may be arranged in the vertical direction or may be
arranged to be inclined at an angle other than 45 degrees.
[0093] In each of the embodiments described above, the rectilinear
distance between two points in the cut from the position in
communication with the bolt insertion portion to the position R,
which is separated by the greatest distance from the insertion
portion is set to be greater than the length from the end surface
to the distal end of the stud bolt. However, depending on the
material of the seal cap, the distance may be changed. In a case
where the material of the seal cap has a sufficient elongation
allowance, for example, in a case of a rubber-based material, the
rectilinear distance between the two points may be set to be
smaller than the length from the end surface to the distal end of
the stud bolt.
* * * * *